1988 - Wooden Paduka (sandal) Worn By Arunagiri Yogishwara
| Archives of Sovereign Details | |
| Date/Year | 1988 |
| Origin of Item | Pushpa Samadhi |
| Item Type | Artefact |
| Item Dimentions | 4"w x 11.2"l x 1.5"d |
| Item Material | Other |
| Age of SPH | 10 |
| Associated Guru | Arunagiri Yogishwara |
| Location | Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, South India |
| Role in the Revival of KAILASA | The guru paduka of the Paramaguru of SPH are the symbol of the Guru-Shishya Parampara, which make up the backbone of KAILASA |
| Associated Kingdom | Kailasa Paramparagatha Adi Arunachala Sarvajnapeetha Samrajyam |
These wooden sandals are the direct representation and independent intelligence of Arunagiri Yogishwara, the embodiment of Paramashiva Himself. The guru paduka (holy sandals of the guru) are revered within Sanatana Hindu Dharma as symbol of ultimate surrender to the guru and the bestower of the supreme state, liberation and Enlightenment itself.
In the Guru Gita, told by Paramashiva Himself to Devi Parashakti, He emphasizes the importance of gurupaaduka in a series of verses. In verse 320, He says:
srutisāramidam Devi sarmuktam samasatah nanyathā sadgathih pumsam vina gurupadam sive
This is the essence of all Srutis. In this everything has been said in concise summary. There is no other way to reach the ultimate destination and attain the state of liberation without the feet of the guru, Gurupadam.
In the life of Adi Shankaracharya, who was the incarnation of Paramashiva, he sang the verses of the Guru Paduka Stotram. The following is the first verse of the delectable verses sung by Adi Shankaracharya in the divine remembrance of his own guru, Govind Bhagavatpadacharya
Anantha samsara samudhra thara naukayithabhyam guru bhakthithabhyam, Vairagya samrajyadha poojanabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukabhyam.
The crossing of this Endless ocean of samsara (this mundane world) is enabled by the boat that is sincere devotion to Guru Showing me the way to the valuable dominion of renunciation, O dear Guru, I bow to thy holy sandals.
The young Avatār had these wooden sandals specially made when He was 10 years old. He took it to Aruṇagiri Yogīśvara to wear and energize them. Aruṇagiri Yogīśvara is the embodiment of Paramaśiva (the primordial Hindu Divinity) who assumed the form of a young Sanyasi (ascetic) and befriended The young Avatār as His Guru, in the unique Happening of 'Guru and Disciple' where the Guru is the embodiment of Paramaśiva and the disciple is the current incarnation of Paramaśiva! The relationship lasted nine months. Aruṇagiri Yogīśvara wore these sandals during that period of time. His feet imprint can be seen on the sandals till date (visible in the picture). Today, these most sacred guru paduka are still offered worship by the Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism, and preserved to serve the world as embodiments of the superconscious energy for eternity.